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The Kansas City Chiefs offense is going to look much different when September rolls around. Tyreek Hill is in Miami, which is already a massive loss for Patrick Mahomes and the offense.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is in town and entrenched as the top wideout — for now. Of course, Travis Kelce is still there, and Ronald Jones came in to compete with Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Well, the Chiefs got bad news regarding offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr. The two sides have been trying to work on a long-term extension all offseason. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, those talks have stalled, and now Brown will play under the franchise tag for the 2022 campaign.
The #Chiefs and OT Orlando Brown did not come to an agreement on a long-term deal, per agent Michael Portner. As @MikeGarafolo said recently, the gap was too large. Brown now will play it out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2022
Sure, Brown will play in the 2022 season for the Chiefs. But being unable to keep him long-term would be another tough blow for Kansas City.
The Chiefs gave up a lot to acquire Brown from the Baltimore Ravens, so keeping him at Arrowhead has to be a priority.
Orlando Brown has passed his physical with the #Chiefs and the trade with Baltimore is now official.
Picks No. 31, 94, 136 and a future 5th to the #Ravens for Brown, the No. 58 pick and a future 6th.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 26, 2021
But, this latest update isn’t good news, and it could be that the 2022 campaign is Brown’s last in Kansas City. The Chiefs even reportedly offered Brown a six-year deal — which was turned down.
#Chiefs franchise-tagged OT Orlando Brown Jr.’s agent, Michael Portner, tells me the sides weren’t able to reach a long-term deal.
KC offered Brown the highest signing bonus and APY on 6-year deal, but Brown’s team decided there wasn’t enough security over the life of the deal.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 15, 2022
It’s a significant risk, and fans aren’t sure how to feel about Brown’s future being a bit cloudy.
Orlando Brown Jr. is MASSIVELY betting on himself.
— Devon Clements (@DevclemNFL) July 15, 2022
Fuckkkkk !!! #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/LV3rfuQqQa
— Robert&Suzie (@WeTheWhoo) July 15, 2022
Cheifs OL to Mahomes https://t.co/S523IdfwAE pic.twitter.com/U2agS5P18L
— ☠️squanchraider☠️ (@Squanchrat) July 15, 2022
Welp, here we go. #Chiefs #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/XhFW19zGbP
— NoPlaceLikeMahomes (@NoMahomes) July 15, 2022
https://twitter.com/HulsesHotTakes/status/1547963282895433734
— Budlooo (@PapiBudlooo) July 15, 2022
Nooooooooooooooo…… https://t.co/zOSbYhn8y6
— Arrowhead First 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@ArrowheadFirst) July 15, 2022
There’s still a possibility that the two sides will agree on a long-term deal. The contract was close to getting done, but it looks like Brown wants more security than the Chiefs offered him.
And yes, the Chiefs offered Orlando Brown Jr. a 6-year deal that was just over the average salary per year than what Trent Williams signed with the 49ers last year ($23 million).
The structure of the deal, though, was the issue for Brown.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) July 15, 2022
The Chiefs gave up a ton to acquire Brown, and letting him walk at the end of the 2022 season won’t benefit Mahomes and company.